U.S. Customs: Duty-Free Exemption

The amount of your duty-free exemption depends on the country you are returning from. In most cases, each individual is allowed to bring back $400 worth of goods without being required to pay duty. Family members traveling together and living in the same home may combine their personal exemptions by filing a joint declaration. These exemptions apply if:

The items you are bringing back are for your personal or household use.

They are in your possession (that is, they accompany you) when you return to the United States. Items to be sent later may not be included in your $400 duty-free exemption.

They are declared to Customs. If you do not declare something that should have been declared, you risk forfeiting it. If in doubt, declare it.

You are returning from an overseas stay of at least 48 hours. This time limit does not apply if you are returning from Mexico or from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You have not used your exemption, or any part of it, in the past 30 days. If you use part of your exemption - for example, if you go to England and bring back $150 worth of items - you must wait another 30 days before you are allowed another $400 exemption.

The items are not prohibited or restricted.

If you are returning directly from certain Caribbean Basin countries your customs exemption will be $600 and if you return directly or indirectly from the U.S Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam, you are allowed a $1200 exemption. If traveling to one of the countries mentioned above, you may wish to check in with your nearest Customs office for specific details.